Thinking Like an Economist: A Guide to Rational Decision Making

Economic forces are everywhere around you. But that doesn't mean you need to passively accept whatever outcome those forces might press upon you. Instead, with these 12 fast-moving and crystal clear lectures, you can learn how to use a small handful of basic nuts-and-bolts principles to turn those same forces to your own advantage.

An Economic History of the World since 1400

Most of us have a limited understanding of the powerful role economics has played in shaping human civilization. This makes economic history - the study of how civilizations structured their environments to provide food, shelter, and material goods - a vital lens through which to think about how we arrived at our present, globalized moment. Designed to fill a long-empty gap in how we think about modern history, these 48 lectures are a comprehensive journey through more than 600 years of economic history.

The American Civil War

Between 1861 and 1865, the clash of the greatest armies the Western hemisphere had ever seen turned small towns, little-known streams, and obscure meadows in the American countryside into names we will always remember. In those great battles, those streams ran red with blood-and the United States was truly born.

No Excuses: Existentialism and the Meaning of Life

What is life? What is my place in it? What choices do these questions obligate me to make? More than a half-century after it burst upon the intellectual scene - with roots that extend to the mid-19th century - Existentialism's quest to answer these most fundamental questions of individual responsibility, morality, and personal freedom, life has continued to exert a profound attraction.

Understanding the Mysteries of Human Behavior

Every day of your life is spent surrounded by mysteries that involve what appear to be rather ordinary human behaviors. What makes you happy? Where did your personality come from? Why do you have trouble controlling certain behaviors? Why do you behave differently as an adult than you did as an adolescent?Since the start of recorded history, and probably even before, people have been interested in answering questions about why we behave the way we do.

The Science of Energy: Resources and Power Explained

To better put into perspective the various issues surrounding energy in the 21st century, you need to understand the essential science behind how energy works. And you need a reliable source whose focus is on giving you the facts you need to form your own educated opinions.

Outsmart Yourself: Brain-Based Strategies to a Better You

The brain is an astounding organ, and today neuroscientists have more insights than ever about how it works - as well as strategies for helping us live better every day. These 24 practical lectures give you a wealth of useful strategies for improving your well-being. By presenting evidence-based "hacks" for your brain, Professor Vishton empowers you to take charge of your life and perform better all around.

Your Deceptive Mind: A Scientific Guide to Critical Thinking Skills

No skill is more important in today's world than being able to think about, understand, and act on information in an effective and responsible way. What's more, at no point in human history have we had access to so much information, with such relative ease, as we do in the 21st century. But because misinformation out there has increased as well, critical thinking is more important than ever. These 24 rewarding lectures equip you with the knowledge and techniques you need to become a savvier, sharper critical thinker in your professional and personal life.

The Life and Writings of C. S. Lewis

What can we still learn from C.S. Lewis? Find out in these 12 insightful lectures that cover the author's spiritual autobiography, novels, and his scholarly writings that reflect on pain and grief, love and friendship, prophecy and miracles, and education and mythology.

The Other Side of History: Daily Life in the Ancient World

Look beyond the abstract dates and figures, kings and queens, and battles and wars that make up so many historical accounts. Over the course of 48 richly detailed lectures, Professor Garland covers the breadth and depth of human history from the perspective of the so-called ordinary people, from its earliest beginnings through the Middle Ages.

Food: A Cultural Culinary History

Eating is an indispensable human activity. As a result, whether we realize it or not, the drive to obtain food has been a major catalyst across all of history, from prehistoric times to the present. Epicure Jean-Anthelme Brillat-Savarin said it best: "Gastronomy governs the whole life of man."

The Nature of Matter: Understanding the Physical World

In the 24 engaging lectures of The Nature of Matter, no scientific background is needed to appreciate such miracles of everyday life as a bouncing rubber ball or water's astonishing power to dissolve. Moreover, the study of matter has led directly to such inventions as semiconductor circuits for computers, new fabrics for clothes, and powerful adhesives for medicine and industry.

Publisher's Summary

The history of the U.S. economy in the 20th century is far too interesting - and far too important to our future - to be dismissed with just a few stock explanations. These 10 fast-paced lectures introduce you to vital economic lessons learned in the last century to provide invaluable guidance for understanding the current economy. Each lecture focuses exclusively on one decade to provide you with a clear understanding of economic developments and outside influences on the U.S. economy.

In some cases, you'll examine well-defined events like the creation of the Federal Reserve or the war in Vietnam. In other lectures, you'll explore larger societal shifts, such as the evolving role of women in the economy and changing consumption patterns. This decade-by-decade approach takes you deep inside America's memorable economic milestones. Among these: the U.S. trade surplus during World War I; the rise of the automobile industry in the 1920s; the mismanagement of monetary policy that led to the Great Depression; the Employment Act of 1946, which gave the federal government the responsibility to maintain high employment and economic growth; the strangling inflation of the 1970s and early 1980s; and more.

Professor Taylor takes care to ensure that you can follow this course clearly regardless of your knowledge of economics. He uses historical examples and quotes from economists and other notables, and his use of economic reasoning often brings surprising insight.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

I have read many books that weave in and out of this topic, but it is nice to hear a decade-by-decade walk-through. It is detail-rich (for a fast overview from 30,000 feet, as the saying goes), with good meaningful stats blended in, all delivered in a fast cadence by the professor. Note, Glass-Steagal was still in effect when this was produced, making it between 10 and 15 years old. Thus, the kinds of reflections and additional insights that might have appeared based on lessons we have learned since then is not there. But, that wasn't my goal here anyway. I am SO happy audible acquired this series! My wish list is stuffed with them.

This audio program is excellent context for viewing current US economy. Program is very interesting and easy to listen to. If you are ‘one of those people’ who think everything is going to hell in a hand basket today, this is a must listen, we have been there before.

This was a riveting look at America's recent economic history. Taylor is really good at providing interesting statistics to illuminate trends. He disabuses the listener of common economic fallacies and inculcates the economic way of thinking about a host of important issues. A major theme throughout the course is the dramatic increase in the size of government over the century. Taylor analyzes different policies and gives the consensus economist view on most of them. I highly recommend this course.

This is one of the older series in The Great Courses library -- it was recorded at the close of the 20th century; but it is outstanding, and the best evidence of that is the fact that every minute of it remains relevant today.

When I listen to the level of political discourse we have in the 21st-century, it almost makes me sympathetic to the belief by our founding fathers that only educated people should be allowed to vote. Better still, just have all of our elected officials listen to this course. It is a fascinating history of the United States in the 20th century as told through the eyes of an economist, and as economists go, Professor Tim Taylor is a joy to listen to. No matter what your political persuasion, prepare to have myths busted, your eyes opened, and your opinions changed. This series is a perfect example of what makes The GreatCourses so great.

I suggest prospective listeners sample Prof. Taylor's course to see if you can keep up with his frantic style. The shouting loudness I could turn down, but though I tried to run this course at 75% speed to slow it down some, the audio was echoing and dissonant, so that didn't work. Taylor's press to speak is so desperate that often he actually can't seem to catch his breath. It's hard to understand dense and complex and numerical material at that fast a speed, and it gives me a headache. I'm surprised the TGC people let him tear along at this pace: he has five economics courses in their series. I had to stop these lectures early-- I blame the production people for not calming and slowing their lecturer.

The professor gives a decade by decade review of economic events and policies in the 20th century. He makes some interesting points along the way. But he speaks very fast and seems more interested in coverage than integration. However he does end with some remarks on what we've learned about managing the economy and problems ahead, which I found to be thought provoking.

Two minor complaints: 1) the course seems unaware of events in the 21st century. Is it really that old? 2) I know he must understand the concept of compound interest, but he repeatedly speaks as if he doesn't. 2% growth for 25 years results in cumulative growth of 64%, not 50%. It doesn't really matter to the narrative, but it bugged me nonetheless.